Somalia Enters Critical Drought Phase, Urges National Self — Reliance. MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has entered the fourth phase of drought severity, marking a critical emergency according to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). Commissioner Mohamud Ma’allin Abdulle emphasized the urgency of the situation during a National Media address, highlighting the compounded challenges of water and food shortages amidst a significant reduction in international support.
SoDMA’s assessment reveals widespread water scarcity and crop failure across the country, a situation exacerbated by the failure of consecutive rainy seasons. This environmental collapse has led to the drought classification reaching its fourth stage, indicating extreme danger and pre-famine conditions. Commissioner Ma’allin warned of the escalating risk of mass fatalities among displaced and rural populations without immediate intervention.
The drought is disrupting livelihoods, particularly in rural areas, posing severe threats to human life and livestock.
In response, Commissioner Ma’allin called for national self-reliance, urging both the Federal Government and the Somali public to unite resources to avert a catastrophe. He stressed that the responsibility to save lives and livestock now rests entirely on domestic mobilization.
The SoDMA has also partnered with Mogadishu University for the 2nd Somali Disaster Resilience Conference (SDRC), indicating a focus on coordinated national response.
The situation is grave, with pastoral communities losing their livestock and a potential famine looming due to the collapse of agropastoral livelihoods. Data released by SoDMA estimates that approximately five million people are currently facing acute food insecurity, with the most severe conditions reported in the regions of Awdal, Gedo, Hiiraan, Bay, Bakool, Mudug, Galgaduud, and Sanaag, as well as the Northern and Northwestern territories and the Jubba regions.
The Commissioner concluded his address with an urgent appeal for immediate action, emphasizing that the window to save lives is narrowing.
The agency is calling for a unified national response to bridge the gap left by the withdrawal of international aid, prioritizing the delivery of water and fodder to the communities most at risk of devastation. Further details are expected as the situation unfolds.
Source: sonna.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
